Daily Times

Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi delivered a compelling keynote address to the participants of the Air War College Institute course at Al Hamra Hall. In his address, Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed unwavering optimism about the future of Pakistan, dismissing pessimism and affirming the nation’s upward trajectory.

Quoting the Holy Qur’an, Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi underscored that despair is a sin, emphasizing the importance of maintaining hope for the prosperity of future generations. He urged collective efforts, stating that if individuals foster hope, it will resonate positively with their children, shaping a brighter future for Pakistan.

Reflecting on the past 10 months of the caretaker setup in Punjab, Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi highlighted a resolute decision to tackle the circular debt of wheat, which had surpassed 600 billion rupees. The success, he emphasized, was a result of effective teamwork and passion, turning even challenging tasks into achievable goals.

Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi reported substantial achievements in agriculture, including an increased area under cotton cultivation, resulting in saving three billion dollars in foreign exchange. Rice cultivation witnessed a remarkable 100% growth, contributing a total of 2 billion dollars.

Commending prudent decisions, Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced significant savings in Safe City projects in Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi. Despite an initial budget of 100 billion rupees, these projects are being executed at a cost of 12.5 billion rupees.

Updating on healthcare initiatives, Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi mentioned the ongoing rapid upgradation of 100 hospitals in Punjab, a testament to the commitment to public well-being. Acknowledging the transitional period, he assured that the incoming government would continue the ongoing initiatives.

Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the Air Chief’s focus on education and technology, acknowledging unprecedented contributions to these sectors. He encouraged a spirit of hope, stating, “We have to go back home with hope, not despair.”

Updating on law and order, Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi highlighted the Punjab Police’s substantial control over 95 percent of the area in Kacha over the last 10 months, successfully clearing 60 thousand acres from robbers.

Addressing environmental concerns, Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi detailed measures to combat smog, including a government-level ban on petrol motorcycles, replaced by a focus on electric bikes. Plans include providing 10 thousand students with electric bikes on subsidy and offering government employees electric bikes on lease.

Concluding with a commitment to providing relief to the people, Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi answered questions from course participants. Air Vice Marshal Hussain Ahmed Siddiqui praised the Punjab government’s welfare projects, and briefings on ongoing projects were provided by Additional Chief Secretary, Chairman Planning and Development Board, Senior Member Board of Revenue, and DIG Police.

Participants in the Air War College Institute course included officers from Pakistan Air Force, Navy, Army, as well as representatives from Nigeria, South Africa, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Yemen, and other countries. The event was attended by Provincial Ministers Mansoor Qadir, Amir Mir, Additional Chief Secretary, Chairman Planning and Development Board, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Secretaries of concerned departments, and senior officials.

Marking a historic milestone in Punjab, an unprecedented upgrade is underway, encompassing a vast 7 million square feet area of major hospitals. Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, at the helm, visited the Planning and Development Board to meticulously assess the progress of this monumental hospital upgradation.

During an exhaustive three-hour meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi at the Planning and Development Board, updates on 43 priority projects, including the crucial hospital enhancements, were presented. Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi urged the expeditious completion of the upgrading initiatives for Gangaram Hospital, Mayo Hospital, General Hospital, Children’s Hospital, Services Hospital, and the Institute of Cardiology in Lahore. Additionally, he emphasized meeting deadlines for Children’s Hospital in Multan, Nishtar Hospital, Nishtar 2, Holy Family Hospital in Rawalpindi, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Allied Hospital in Faisalabad, and DG Khan Institute of Cardiology.

Highlighting the revival of the stalled Fatima Jinnah Institute of Dental Sciences in Jubilee Town after 16 years, Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced the transformation of Manawan Hospital into Mayo Cancer Hospital. Moreover, Indus Hospital in Jubilee Town is diligently working on establishing Punjab’s inaugural fully-equipped cancer hospital.

In a groundbreaking move, Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced the operation of two government-operated cancer hospitals in the province for the first time.

Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi issued directives for the timely completion of a new bridge over the Ravi by January and the swift resolution of issues pertaining to Imamiya Colony Flyover and Abdullahpur Faisalabad Flyover. He also instructed the immediate commencement of an inn’s construction adjacent to the Punjab Institute of Cardiology.

Acknowledging the real-time monitoring of projects through drone footage, Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi personally reviewed the progress of each project and provided on-the-spot instructions to concerned secretaries.

Chairman Planning and Development Board Iftikhar Sahu briefed on the practical progress, including the construction of a two-lane road from Wahandu Interchange to Benazir Chowk, linking Gujranwala with the Sialkot-Lahore Motorway. Additionally, briefings were given on road projects, the upgradation of Lahore Zoo and Safari Park, and projects by the Safe City Authority in Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, and Gujranwala.

*Updates on the establishment of Gujranwala University, the restoration of Qila Kuhna Qasim Bagh in Multan, and the establishment of a park were also shared during the meeting.

Provincial Minister for Planning and Development Bilal Afzal, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Secretaries of concerned departments, and senior officials attended the meeting. Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman participated in the meeting through video link.

Stringent measures are set to be taken against plaza and building owners found in violation of parking rules and regulations, as decided in the LDA Authority meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The meeting emphasized strict actions against those breaching parking agreements, imposing fines equivalent to 0.5% of the DC property rate for violators. Additionally, building owners failing to open parking facilities within the stipulated period will face fines of Rs. 10,000 per kanal.

To ensure effective implementation of parking agreements, the meeting approved amendments to the LDA Building and Zoning Rules and Regulations. Addressing traffic issues in Lahore, preliminary approval was granted to construct U-turns and slip roads at seven intersections. Prior to final approval, a temporary exercise will be conducted, evaluating traffic flow through the installation of temporary barriers.

Camp establishments at 32 locations in Lahore underscore a committed effort to permanently eradicate temporary encroachments, as disclosed in the meeting. Measures to enhance road infrastructure at 26 locations, including the construction of protected U-turn between Canal Road Harbanspora and Jallo, gained approval.

A significant move involved approving steps to entrust the management of Johar Town’s hockey stadium to the private sector, aimed at promoting hockey. The reconstitution of Promotion Committees for TEPA was also approved. Furthermore, the lease of Lahore Global Village to the Punjab Central Business District Authority received approval.

In a bid to address illegal commercial land use under the jurisdiction of the Lahore Development Authority, penalties were sanctioned. The meeting also approved the procurement of consultant services for the commercialization of nine roads in Lahore. Amendments to the LDA Rules 2020 for permission of petrol pump and freight terminal in the transportation zone were also approved.

Participating in the meeting were Provincial Local Government and Information Minister Amir Mir, Provincial Advisor Sports Wahab Riaz, and Secretaries of Housing, Finance, Local Government, Communication & Works, along with board members of the LDA Authority.